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Inkjet printer

a technology of inkjet printers and inkjet printers, applied in the direction of printing, etc., can solve the problem that the ink cannot be quickly supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank, and achieve the effect of less resistance to ink flowing

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-04-19
BROTHER KOGYO KK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, ink cannot be quickly supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0026]In a first embodiment, when the amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank 121 becomes less than a predetermined amount, ink is supplied from the main tank unit 130 to the sub-tank 121 while they are connected to each other. When the amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank 121 is greater than the predetermined amount, the main tank unit 130 and the sub-tank 121 are kept disconnected from each other.

[0027]A printhead unit (carriage) 100 includes a printhead 110 that ejects ink droplets onto the sheet, and a sub-tank unit 120 that supplies ink to the printhead 110. When forming an image, the printhead unit 100 reciprocates in a main scanning direction (right-left direction in FIG. 1) that is perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction.

[0028]Nozzles for ejecting basic color inks are formed in a surface of the printhead 110 that faces the sheet to be conveyed. The nozzles are arranged in arrays parallel to the sheet conveying direction. Each nozzle array corresponds to a particular ...

second embodiment

[0077]As a result, the ink absorber 155 in the second embodiment is also prevented from presenting much resistance to the flow of ink from a main tank unit 130 to the sub-tank 121.

[0078]On the other hand, when main tank unit 130 and the sub-tank 121 are disconnected from each other, the meniscuses formed in the nozzles of the printhead 110 are maintained by the ink absorber 155.

[0079]Therefore, in the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment, meniscuses formed in the nozzles of the printhead 110 can be maintained by the ink absorber 155 when the main tank unit 130 is disconnected from the sub-tank 121, and ink can be quickly supplied to the sub-tank 121 when the main tank unit 130 is connected from the sub-tank 121.

[0080]When the ink absorber 155 is retracted, the ink absorber 155 is compressed to discharge the ink absorbed therein. This prevents the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 155 from remaining therein and getting old.

[0081]As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ink absor...

third embodiment

[0087]As a result, the ink absorber 155 in the third embodiment is also prevented from presenting much resistance to the flow of ink from a main tank unit 130 to the sub-tank 121.

[0088]On the other hand, when the main tank unit 130 and the sub-tank 121 are disconnected from each other, meniscuses formed in the nozzles of the printhead 110 are maintained by the ink absorber 155.

[0089]Therefore, in the inkjet printer according to the third embodiment, meniscuses formed in the nozzles of the printhead 110 can be maintained by the ink absorber 155 when the main tank unit 130 is disconnected from the sub-tank unit 121, and ink can be quickly supplied to the sub-tank 121 when the main tank unit 130 is connected to the sub-tank 121.

[0090]As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the ink absorber 155 is shifted to be retracted away from the ink path 151B. Alternatively, the ink absorber 155 may be compressed so as to be retracted away from the ink path 151B, or the ink absorber 155 may be shifted w...

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PUM

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Abstract

An inkjet printer that includes a main tank with ink, a sub-tank unit including a sub-tank, an ink supply mechanism including an ink absorber. Wherein the ink supply mechanism supplies ink from the main tank to the sub-tank. Wherein the main tank and the sub-tank are disconnected from each other when ink is not being supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank, and are connected to each other via the ink supply mechanism when ink is being supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank. Wherein the ink absorber is positioned in the ink supply mechanism so as to absorb ink from the sub-tank. Wherein the ink absorber is also positioned in the ink supply mechanism so as to present less resistance to ink flowing through the ink supply mechanism into the sub-tank than when ink is not being supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-267762 filed on Sep. 29, 2006, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to an inkjet printer adopting a station type ink supply system in which a main tank and a sub-tank are capable of being connected to, and disconnected from, each other. The main tank and the sub-tank are connected to each other when ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]In a printhead of an inkjet printer, a droplet of liquid, such as ink, is ejected from a nozzle by a piezoelectric element when the piezoelectric element deforms. The droplet of liquid may also be ejected from the nozzle by a heat-generating resister when that heat generating element volumetrically changes an air bubble. Usually, the nozzle is not provided with a valve. Rather, a meniscus is formed i...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B41J2/175
CPCB41J2/175B41J2/17596B41J2/17509
Inventor UMEDA, TAKAICHIRO
Owner BROTHER KOGYO KK